Egypt Museum ancient Egypt art culture and history

Pair of Socks

Pair of Socks

This pair of socks were made in the 4th to 5th century, and were excavated in Egypt at the end of the 19th century. They have a divided toe and are designed to be worn with sandals. The technique used for making these socks are commonly confused with knitting. They were made in the technique...

A reserve head depicts a member of king Khafre’s family

Reserve Head

A reserve head depicts a member of king Khafre’s family. The reserve heads display a natural grandeur and are all fully shaven, as if they wore skullcaps, so that it is often difficult to distinguish between male and female portraits. This head, which depicts a member of Khafre’s family, is characteristic of this type of...

Stela in dedication to Khonsu from draughtsman Pay

Stela in dedication to Khonsu from draughtsman Pay

Pay was a man who lived in the famous workers/artists village of Deir el-Medina, then known as Set Ma’at, which translates to “The Place of Truth”. Pay’s titles tell us that he worked as a draughtsman, a very important role in making sure that both the temples and tombs of the royals and elites of...

Takabuti is the most famous Ancient Egyptian icon in Ireland. She has been on display at the Ulster Museum for over a century.

Takabuti

Takabuti was a young Theban woman who died in her twenties or early thirties towards the end of Ancient Egypt’s 25th Dynasty, c. 755-656 B.C. The daughter of a Priest of Amun named Nespara and a woman named Tasenirit, Takabuti is believed to have been a married woman who lived and died in Thebes. She...

Statue of Intendant Hapy as a scribe

Statue of Intendant Hapy as a scribe

Statue of Intendant and Administrator of the Temple of Amun, Hapy, reading from a papyrus roll. The scribe’s job was one of the most important in ancient Egypt, for he was the representative of culture, science, knowledge, and literature. In this regard, scribes are considered the main founders of its civilization. The scribe’s role was...

Egyptians in battle against the Nubians

Egyptians in battle against the Nubians

A scene depicted on a wooden chest showcases Tutankhamun’s Egyptian military defiant against the Nubians. Battle scenes along the length of the chest’s sides show the king riding in his chariot, accompanied by well organized archers, lancers, cavalrymen, and fan bearers, charging the enemies of Egypt; one side of the chest features the enemies of...

Wooden figure of a woman playing a harp

Wooden figure of a woman playing a harp

This wooden painted figure of a woman playing a harp, dates from the Third Intermediate Period, c.1070-664 B.C. She stands 26cm tall and 6.5cm wide, and currently resides in the British Museum. Music played a very important part in ancient Egyptian life. From all periods there are scenes in temples and tombs showing musicians playing....

Old Kingdom Family Portrait

Old Kingdom Family Portrait

This seated limestone family portrait depicts a husband, wife and son. It dates from the 4th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom, c. 2620-2500 B.C. The piece stands at 78cm tall and 48cm wide. It was once painted and traces of the paint still remains, including black, red and yellow pigments. It was discovered by...

Mummy of Nesmin

Mummy of Nesmin

This mummy belongs to a man called Nesmin; his name means “The One Who Belongs to (the god) Min.” He was a priest for Min in Akhmim, and from the inscription on his coffin, it is known that his father Djedhor was a priest as well, and that his mother Tadiaset was a musician for...